Summer 2009 Dan Than Corps

• What is Dan Than Corps ?

  The Dan Than Corps program is NAVASA's (The National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies) national leadership program funded by AmeriCorps. Dan Than members are placed in Vietnamese-led community-based organizations through out the U.S. The program goal is build grassroots leadership and organizational capacity of Vietnamese American community-based organizations by engaging potential leaders in a term of service, training, and professional development. For information about NAVASA and the Dan Than Corps program, visit www.navasa.org

• What is NAVASA ?

  Founded in 1995, NAVASA is a national membership agency currently comprised of 37 Mutual Assistance Associations and community organizations. NAVASA's mission is to improve social and economic justice in Vietnamese communities nationwide by transforming Vietnamese social service agencies, developing future non-profit leaders and increasing public and private resources for the community.

• What is AmeriCorps ?

  AmeriCorps is a national network of hundreds of programs throughout the US. There are two programs that are managed nationally: AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*NCCC. The other group of programs comes under the general heading of AmeriCorps, and they are found in local and national organizations throughout the US. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov

• Where do Summer Dan Than Corps members serve and what kind of services they perform ?

  Members serve at local not-for-profit and faith-based organizations known as Host Sites and provide services to address issues of academic success, qualify of life for youth and seniors, and post disaster recovery.

• Who are Host Sites and where are they located ?

  Host sites are local Vietnamese-led social service agencies. All of our host sites are member of NAVASA and are either community-based (CBOs) or faith-based organizations (FBOs) organizations. Currents participating organizations for Summer 2009 include: Seattle (WA), San Jose (CA), Oakland (CA), Sacramento (CA), Springfield (MA), Silver Spring (MD), Houston (TX), New Orleans (LA), and Biloxi (MS).

• Can I choose my host site ?

  DT candidates have the option of choosing the location of placement when they apply to the program. Once we receive the application, we will conduct a brief placement interview to find out your interests so that we can match you to a site which best meets your interests and what you would like to get out of our program. The Dan Than program does not provide for lodging or transportation assistance for the Summer Dan Than Corps.

Benefits

Professional Development

Professional Development

• Will I receive training ?

  Yes. Dan Than members receive training, technical assistance, mentoring, and support to develop non-profit leadership and management knowledge and skills throughout the year. Members will participate in an all-expenses paid three-day long orientation and training at the start of the program in Washington DC, and have opportunities to attend local trainings when available.

Education Award

• What benefits do Dan Than members receive ?

  After completing the summer term of service, members may be eligible for an education award of $1,250. This award may be used to help pay off qualified student loans or to finance college, graduate school or vocational training.

• What is the education award ?

  The education award is a voucher that may be used to repay qualified existing or future student loans, to pay all or part of the cost of attending a qualified institution of higher education (including certain vocational programs), or to pay expenses incurred while participating in an approved school-to-work-program. The $1,250 education award is received upon successful completion of a term of service and is taxable.

• Do I have to pay my student loans while serving with AmeriCorps ?

  Most federal student loans qualify for forbearance during your term of service. Check with your lender to determine whether your loans qualify for forbearance while you are completing "national service" with AmeriCorps.

• If I don't complete the time that i originally committed, will I still receive a part of education award ?

  You will receive the education award ONLY if you complete the time that you committed.

Qualification and Requirements

• How long are Summer Dan Than Corps assignments, and are they all full-time ?

  Dan Than Corps assignments last approximately 10 weeks. Quarter-time position = 450 hrs = approx. 40hrs/week, and 50 hours of training

• Is there an age limit for Dan Than Corps participants ?

  The minimum age requirement is 18; but no maximum age limit exists.

• Do Dan Than membes have to be U.S. citizens ?

  No. But if not a U.S. citizen, you must be a legal permanent resident, a U.S. national or have Native American status. Applicants will not be allowed to serve unless they have shown proof of citizenship or naturalization.

• Can I work or go to school while serving with Summer Dan Than Corps ?

  Part-time work or school outside of your service is not recommended. Classes might interfere with service activities during the day. Most affiliates require members to serve on a 40-hour schedule with regular staff in order to ensure that members will finish their hours as required.

Timeline

• 3/1/09-4/3/09: Applications accepted for Summer Dan Than Corps
• 4/3/09: Applications due
• 4/3/09-4/17/09: Applicant interviews
• 4/17/09: Applicant notification of status
• 5/13/09-5/16/09: Training at NAVASA conference, Washington DC
• 6/15/09-8/21/09: Summer Dan Than Corps
• 8/28/09: Members submit evaluation, progress report

Additional Information

• If you have additional questions, please contact the Dan Than Corps program director at:
  Anh Tran, Program Director
  1010 Wayne Ave. Ste. 310
  Silver Spring, MD 20910
  301.587.2781
  anh.tran@navasa.org
  

application instructions:
Application will be reviewed once we have received completed application package: application form, essays, and reference form.

essays
There are two essay questions. Your essays will be evaluated based on content, clarity, and grammar. Read guidelines under essay section carefully.

references Completed application package must include: 1 reference for summer quarter-time service term. Select a recommender who is familiar with your personal background, education, and employment/ professional skills. You should not ask a family member, classmate, co-worker, or friend to serve as a reference. References may be sent separately but application will not be considered until they are received.

application submission Electronic submission is preferred. However, you must mail or fax the signature page of the application. Submission can be sent via one of the following methods.

• E-mail anh.tran@navasa.org
  Subject line: Dan Than Summer Corps Application
  
• Fax 301.587.2783
• Postal
  NAVASA Dan Than Summer Corps Application
  1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 310
  Silver Spring, MD 20910

Click here to download DT Summer Corps application

• Dan Than Summer Corps-MVMA
• HopeCDA Summber Corps
• Summer Education Program Youth Worker-CMAA
• 2009-VCSA
• VFA Dan Than Summer Corps

• 3/1/09-4/24/09: Applications accepted for Summer Dan Than Corps
• 4/24/09: Applications due
• 4/24/09-4/28/09: Applicant interviews
• 4/28/09: Applicant notification of status
• 5/13/09-5/16/09: Training at NAVASA conference, Washington DC
• 6/15/09-8/21/09: Summer Dan Than Corps
• 8/28/09: Members submit evaluation, progress report